Central Province · Sri Lanka
Dambulla Cave Temple
Religious SitesBuddhist HeritageUNESCO World HeritageCave Art
A UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of 5 rock cave temples at 160m above the plain, containing 153 Buddha statues and 2,100 sq m of cave paintings dating from the 1st century BC.
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Entry Fee
$15 USD
Difficulty
easy
Budget
moderate
About Dambulla Cave Temple
The Golden Temple of Dambulla is a complex of five cave shrines carved into a granite outcrop 160 metres above the surrounding plain. The caves were first used as refuge by King Vattagamani Abhaya in the 1st century BC and were converted into royal rock temples. Together the caves contain 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings, and 4 statues of Hindu gods, alongside 2,100 square metres of painted cave ceilings and walls, the largest area of cave painting in South Asia. The largest cave, Maharaja Viharaya (Cave 2), is 52 metres wide and 23 metres deep. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the complex is an active Buddhist place of worship. White-dressed devotees and monks are present throughout the day.
Highlights
- 153 Buddha statues across 5 caves
- 2,100 sq m of cave paintings — largest in South Asia
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1991)
- 1st century BC royal rock temples
- 160m elevation with views over the Dambulla plain
Practical Tips
Entry fee for foreign visitors is USD 15 (LKR 1,500) as of 2024.
Dress conservatively — shoulders and knees must be covered; sarongs are rented at the gate.
Remove shoes at the base of the 150 steps leading to the caves and carry them up.
Monkeys at the base and on the path will grab loose bags and food — hold belongings close.
Visit before 10am to avoid the heaviest tour group arrivals.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
Best time of day: Year-round; January to April and June to September for drier conditions
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Often busy
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- mixed
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Budget level
- moderate
- Photography
- ★★★★☆
Plan Your Visit
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ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Pidurangala Rock
A 200m rock outcrop 1.5km north of Sigiriya offering the best panoramic view of Sigiriya Rock, with a reclining Buddha at the summit base dating to the 6th century.
Explore →
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
5th-century palace and fortress built atop a 200m granite monolith by King Kashyapa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited paid attraction in Sri Lanka.
Explore →Kandalama Lake
Ancient irrigation reservoir near Dambulla covering 2,000 acres, surrounded by jungle and popular for birdwatching with over 150 recorded bird species.
Explore →Nalanda Gedige
A 7th-9th century stone shrine near Matale combining Hindu and Buddhist architectural styles, one of the few surviving examples of this fusion in Sri Lanka, relocated to its current site in the 1980s.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Dambulla Cave Temple?
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